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The Legends of Brands Hatch Superprix was a busy weekend as I raced solo in the Classic F3 Championship and with Ben in the Historic Formula Ford Championship and Guards Trophy. We’ll be recapping the jam packed meet in the next couple of blogs and here we review the Historic Formula Ford 50^th Anniversary Meeting – Merlyn MK20A.

Review by Max Bartell

On Sunday 2^nd July, to celebrate the first Formula Ford race taking place 50 years prior we had guest drivers for a grid walk and a dinner - a perfect way to mark the occasion! The racing was obviously a key element though.

Qualifying

Similarly to Cadwell Park, qualifying was split into two sessions due to a large entry list. I was in Heat 2 and qualified in 3^rd putting me 5^th on the grid for Race 1.

Race 1

I got a fantastic start, for once, and was on the outside of P2 into paddock. I took the inside line down into Druids with Ben Mitchell on my outside and got the inside line into Graham Hill bend. This left a gaping hole where three cars also went through meaning I was down in P6, in contention with Benn Tilley, Richard Tarling and Benn Simms. Through Surtees, a large train had now formed from 1^st to 10^th and I was smack bang in the middle. The remainder of my race was tussling with Richard and Benn, slip streaming past each other down Pilgrims Drop. I eventually finished P8, with the top eight finishing within five seconds of each other.

Race 2

I made an OK start from P8 and maintained my position into the paddock and Druids. I was towards the back of an eight car train and there was little movement from me during this phase of the race, whereas the lead four cars were ducking and diving. In lap 4 we were three abreast into the paddock and there was contact on my inside between Benn Tilley and Ben Mitchell, resulting in Tilley losing his top bodywork, and headed towards me. In trying to avoid this I span and went through the gravel trap at paddock and re-joined in 15^th position. For the remainder of the race I was working my way back up having great battles with Westie Mitchell and James Buckton and I eventually finished in P10.  

Photo: Joshua Barrett